I don't know all the specs for the various vehicles out there but I was wondering what other cars with 4 cylinders are comparable or better than a MCS in reference to performance or handling? I'm referring to stock since there's a huge aftermarket for all the makes/models. Off the top of my head I can't think of anything that has better handling than a MCS...

Another way of forming my question would be:
1) If you had a bunch of stock 4 bangers on a drag strip (all equally skilled drivers) what would beat an MCS?
2) If you had a bunch of stock 4 bangers on a backroad with a moderate amount of twisties (all equally skilled drivers) what would beat an MCS?

I'm just curious...:smile:

 

My Kawasaki 750 was a 4 banger and would probably have taken most 4-wheelers on both the track and back road. (I know that's not what you're looking for, but at least it will keep your thread to the top, just in case someone else wants to reply)

By the way, nice choice of colors. My MCC should be here in a few weeks in Hot Orange with matching interior and the Sunrise orange and blue seats.

 

With an experienced driver behind all cars...I would dare say the only cars that would even be able to keep up respectively would be the WRX or the Mitsu Evo (as far as modern late model cars)...otherwise, I'll agree with the motorcycle/sportbike reference...might be the only stock vehicle that can beat it as far as handling. But that's apples to oranges.

Dave.

 

1) If you had a bunch of stock 4 bangers on a drag strip (all equally skilled drivers) what would beat an MCS?
Dodge Neon SRT-4
Subaru WRX
Cobolt SS
Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT
Just to name a couple off the top of my head.

2) If you had a bunch of stock 4 bangers on a backroad with a moderate amount of twisties (all equally skilled drivers) what would beat an MCS?
Those same cars would probably give an MCS fits too on a back road with "a moderate amount of twisties".

While looking for a car, I drove all but the Cobolt SS and they are faster then the MCS, but they are also targeted at the 18 to 22 year old (except the Legacy). They were just too boy racer for me. If all I cared about were performance numbers, I would have bought the SRT-4 and saved myself about $5000. It is the best bang for the buck performance car out there. It is not however, as nice and refined as the MCS. To me it is not all about performance, its more about fun to drive, and the MCS is the winner hands down. The MCS has a better ride, better features, and is just a nicer car then those few I listed. It was very easy to plop down my hard earned $26,000 for my MCS.

 

Paul B...I test drove an SRT-4 as well, and it was powerful as hell...but like you said, it's not really targeted at my age group either (in my mid 30's), and I also found the Cooper to be much more refined with better attention to detail. All around I think the S is just much more fun to drive...I could see the SRT-4 becoming (dare I say) old after a couple of years.

Dave.

 

But could you live with yourself owning a dodge neon?

 

That wasn't the question. I'm not sure why the snobbery always has to follow any comment about the Neon.

Lotus elise
Mitsu Evo
Any of the turbo subaru cars
Neon SRT4
The supercharged GM offerings
Several past and current honda/acura offerings will be very close.

In the past, the lightweight underpowered formula made for some fun cars. Unfortunately, cars keep getting fatter and the Mini is anything but lightweight. They nailed the underpowered part though.

 

My Mazdaspeed Miata handles better than my MCS. It's faster, too.

 

Because they: 1) are cheaply made with poor parts quality 2) are built with poor tolerances and quality control 3) are unreliable for long term ownership overall 4) have major long term issues with the turbos/engines 5) have terrible resale value 6) are way behind the times in features such as, oh, power windows for example...the list goes on.

 

I hear the Lotus Elise is no slouch...

 

I'd rather have the Exige

 

No doubt, but pretty sure it's not available in the US.

 

The only other current 4 cylinder car I would consider would be the Elise. Of course it's over twice the price! I rule out the Mitsu and Subaru hotrods because of their configuration (ie, 4-door) and I don't really like their boy-racer styling.

Another 4 cylinder car which would be as much if not more fun than an MCS is a 2.0 914. You can pick up a good 2.0 for the price of a new MCS. And, now that Minis are all over the place, you'd get bonus cool points with the 2.0.

 

Luckily, I happen to know a decent amount about Porsches. Others, on the other hand, probably have NO idea what a 914 2.0 is. But, that aside, I have only seen 1 914 in my life and old school cool factor is definitely there.

-Paul

 

Interesting to know that there are many cars out there that outperform the MCS. I didn't think there were many that could outhandle my MCS. I have fun driving my MCS, I guess the main reasons why I started this thread was because I have a few buddies who think I should've got a different car and sometimes I get "looks" while driving from other guy drivers. Notably those driving a WRX, IS300, RSX, etc.

 

There are plenty of faster cars out there, but not many that are more fun to drive!

 

I have a 2005 Lotus Elise on order and let me tell you that there is no way to describe the driving experience, one must drive an Elise to experience it. A quick blast around a highway off-ramp was all it took to realize that the handling of this car is simply in a league of its own, the amount of grip it has in reserve is simply incredible, most people would likely not have the confidence to find the cornering limit of an Elise, it's scary high!! No corner phases this car, there is no road-legal car available in the USA that weighs less, or will outhandle it, some Ferarris will come close, but it pulls 1.06G around the skidpad in stock trim, higher than any stock car tested on US soil, if not the world. I own an '03 MCS with full H-sport springs/swaybars/rear links, and as awesome as it handles, the stock Elise puts it to shame, literally a night and day difference. I can only imagine what the Elise would be like with upgraded suspension/swaybars!

 

If your comparing apples to apples, ie:the mini vs all other front-wheel drive cars, its the king of handling. There is only one other front-drive production car out there that will handle AS good in stock form as a Mini cooper S, and its not even available in the USA, the the Renault Clio(europe only)

 

Acura RSX Type S...this was my second choice behind the Mini. The only reason I'm getting the Cooper is because I already have a 2003 RSX Type S, and I wanted to try something different. Besides, if I don't like the Cooper, I can always sell it for what I paid, and get my 2005 RSX Type S. True, you don't get heated seats, Xenon, or Navigation. However, I've driven my Acura cross-country, through Colorado's mountain twisty roads, and I have to say, it's one of the most fun cars to drive. Does it handle as well as the MCS? Mmmmm...they're close. Although, the 2005 RSX Type S is greatly improved over the 2002-2004 model. So, a new RSX Type S just might out-handle a Cooper. I don't know. I would bet on it, though.

 

Blue
on a tight twisty mountain road, I would have to disagree with you on the RSX type-S even coming close to an MCS in handling. Granted the RSX is a great car, definitely the best handling japanese FWD, I've driven one and I loved it, but the only thing that stuck was the slicker-shifting gearbox and the 200-hp powerhouse, but that was it...the Mini has the RSX covered on all aspects of handing. just look at the skidpad G and slalom speeds of the Mini, both are way higher than the RSX's. There would have to be a driver of lesser ability in the cooper S if an RSX is keeping up to it on a twisty mountain road.

 

I find a little camber adjustment makes a big difference in the Mini. If you get aggresive the turn in qualities are suprisinly sharp. (can you say tire wear) We are talking stock here right?

There are cars that are faster but the Mini brought me out of my automotiove hibernation and got me back into "MOTORING". The car is such a pleasure to drive...........I'm in the mountains all the time just cruising.

The Elise has my imagination......hmmmm

 

Sorry to say but i think alot of people are talking more out of heart than cold hard facts (hey its a MINI website, easily understood). There are alot of other 4 bangers that are faster and can handle better than the MCS or MC. Its just as stated above, are they better drivers cars?

Here's a quick list off the top of my head of 4 bangers that are faster than the MCS in straightline and handling i'm working on getting some cold hard facts:

Lotus Elise ( will blow away anything below it here)
Mitsu Evo MR
Subaru STI
Mazdaspeed Miata (just barely beats it in the straightline)

Now the rest of the list are cars that with the same professional driver on a road course can probably pull faster lap times than the MCS because they have more power but don't exactly all handle better, but they might:

Chevy Cobalt SS/Saturn Ion (recently beat the SRT-4 in a road course challenge in Motor Trend)
Dodge Neon SRT-4
Saturn Sky/Solstice (no testing yet but i'm throwing it in as a guess.)
Subaru WRX
MINI Cooper S
Acura RSX-S
Honda Civic Si
Ford Focus ST

I'll think of more later especially when i get some hard numbers.

But as stated above, many of the cars above are more costly or just don't have that "niche" or "feel" that the MINI has. That is why i bought an MCS and am now waiting on an 05' MCS.

 

I was of the understanding that the Clio was a RWD or is that only the V6?

 

I'm going off topic from my original post but I have the same question but with 2 different variables:

Variable 1:
Considering only stock 4 cylinder cars that are COMPARABLE in price, what outperforms a MCS in either straight line or twisty roads or both?

Variable 2:
Considering only stock 4 cylinder cars that are COMPARABLE in price, what outperforms a modified MCS (i.e. my MCSC see below for mods) in either straight line or twisty roads or both?

Hope this isn't considered "desktop racing" and I know my Mini isn't the the best performer/handler, but now I'm curious to know what my car is capable of!

 

you are thinkin of the renault sport clio 255, it is RWD, it is MR, and has 255hp V6... clio 182 is the narrow body ff ultimate in FF cars
strider
1) straight line SRT4, EVO, STi, Catham 7s... radical..... maybe the new colbalt SS, possibly RSX type S, Elise, vx220 turbo, clio 182
corners: evo, sti, catham, radicals... clio, elise....
both: so it's evo, sti, catham, radical, clio and elise... at least those are only the ones off the top of my head... some of them aren't even sold here! some are pure track cars

2) modifed? alot of variables come into play... under the same professional driver.. i'd say evo stock and sti stock'd still beat the mini in the straight, but corners maybe mini can keep up... clio and elise mini'd still stand no chance

mild mods would mean basic bolt ons like sway bar, tires, wheels, intake, and exhaust im assuming... then you are not really gaining much cept helping the car turn faster...

this is what i think anyways...

in the end.. you want performance, get the wrx and evo...